This is my third week here. Even though It's been so long since I healed completely. Mr. Leo and Rin refused to let me do much.
In the morning; Both Rin and Mr. Leo are early risers and Rin is a morning person. Tho' Mr. Leo can get a little cranky in the morning. Mr. Leo tends to his garden where he grows fruits and vegetables. Rin goes out for a couple of hours and returns with herbs. After Rin comes back the three of us have breakfast together. Usually, Mr. Leo prepares It as Rin is 'too lazy' to do It.
In the afternoon; Rin and I discuss books together. Mr. Leo either goes hunting with Lion(Li-on) which is his dog—with a real lion attacking me before meeting them and all, ironic I know— or goes to the market where he sometimes brings me and Rin books to read. Books are most of the time action or fiction books as both I and Rin are in a mutual agreement that the romance genre is boring.
In the night; We have dinner and play some board games that are currently popular in the empire. After I go to bed every night Mr. Leo comes and reads some books to me. I'm not a child. I don't need bedtime stories. But since reading them does make Mr. Leo happy, I just shut up and listen.
In the first week, things were kind of awkward as neither I nor Rin were able to talk about anything. But within the second week, we found out we both liked magic. Despite the fact I couldn't use magic, since childhood I always had an interest in magic. Unfourtanetly Wyatt never allowed me to learn It, telling me knowing swordmanship was enough.
Now here I am getting ready for a sparring match with Mr. Leo. When I first said I wanted to train both Rin and Mr. Leo refused without consideration. But with my insistence, I was able to make a deal with Mr. Leo.
If I win they will let me train whenever I want but If Mr. Leo wins I won't train and only focus on 'healing' and 'getting my strength back'.
As I made my way to the garden I saw Mr.Leo "Ready to lose kiddo?" he asked.
"You should ask that to yourself" I replied. What made me so confident in my skills you may ask. I am an ex-military general. There is no way I will lose to an ordinary guy from the countryside who plants fruits and vegetables. Mr. Leo does go hunting but he doesn't hunt with a sword. He uses something called a gun. We both agreed our spar would be with wooden swords.
"If you are both ready I will count down from three to zero," said Rin as she got between us.
"Ready" both me and Mr. Leo answered.
"Three."
I clenched my sword while my heart beat with enthusiasm.
"Two"
I am going to win this. It will be as easy as taking candy from a baby.
"One"
I was bitterly raised for this. I was raised to be a perfect weapon.
"Zero. Go!" Rin shouted at last. She ran back as she clapped her hand to indicate the spar had started.
As soon as Rin stopped talking I charged, determined to prove myself against this seemingly ordinary man from the countryside.
The clash was unexpected but swift, our wooden swords meeting in a flurry of strikes. Mr. Leo moved with surprising agility, his eyes sharp and focused. He parried my blows effortlessly, each block sending vibrations up my arms. I tried to anticipate his moves, but he was always one step ahead.
His technique was unorthodox—a blend of practicality and instinct. He sidestepped, twisted, and countered, weaving through my defenses.
I aimed at his shoulder. But he sidestepped effortlessly. He spun, and suddenly his blade swept low, aiming for my legs. I leaped, narrowly avoiding the strike, but he followed up with a swift jab to my ribs. Pain flared, and I staggered.
"You fight well," he said, his voice calm. "But you're too rigid. Predictable."
I gritted my teeth, recalibrating. He was right—I had relied on brute force, forgetting finesse. Mr. Leo circled, his eyes assessing. Then he lunged, feinting left and striking right. I parried.
"You underestimate me," he murmured. "I've faced my share of battles."
And then he disarmed me. My wooden sword clattered to the ground, and I stood defenseless. Mr. Leo's gaze softened, and he extended a hand.
"Strength isn't just muscle," he said. "It's adaptability, resilience. You'll heal, and you'll learn."
I accepted his hand, my pride bruised but my determination ignited. As made my way to the house, I realized what Mr. Leo just said. You'll learn.
"Mr.Leo! Can you teach me how to fight your way?" I shouted at Mr. Leo. Even with the distance I could see the shock in his eyes.
"My fighting style isn't something to be taught. It is something to be lived. But... not everything should be just as you have learned. Your moves were obviously how you were trained to fight. You didn't leave any space to be creative. Your moves are stiff like an elf around a dragon" Mr. Leo advised with a faint smile in his eyes.
He was right. Wyatt had brought in many instructors to train me but almost all fought the same. Those moves did help me many times in war but time is changing. So I should also change for the better in every way, whether for fighting or as a person.
I vowed to train harder, to blend my military precision with Mr. Leo's unorthodox grace. Next time, I'd be ready.